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New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (Newspaper) - February 13, 2000, New Braunfels, Texas
Sunday February HERALDZEITUNO Page 5A 1A allowed by state law Letls invest in downtown so we can have something for locals and visitors to Rahe said Then we can have a convention With about signatures on a petition or 30 percent of regis tered voters who voted in the last general election council must consider the proposal according to city code Sec With the signatures council could approve the amended ordi nance as is or call a special election If council votes against the ordi 1 nance a special election is automat ically called The petition was not turned in by Friday at 5 so it cant be voted on at Mondays meeting Chamber president Michael Meek said he believed the petition was tying the hands of future councils Why is this being attacked and eliminated from the realm of possi bility he asked Council wouldnt have to commit to building a convention center for at least two years The chamber is ask ing council to commit to putting money aside for two years and then make a final decision Meek said Even after saving money council could decide to use it for another purpose Petition organizers like Betty Dunkin say they are not tying the hands of council This can go before the public again when the time is she said City attorney Floyd Akers said if the ordinance is changed by a vote preventing the city from spending tiie money on a convention center it could be changed only by a vote Council could initiate this vote he said Council also could decide to use general fund money for a convention center he said Or they could issue revenue bonds or general obligation he said Petition supporter Robert Kendrick said the chamber has spread misinformation by saying signing the petition prevents the city from ever spending bed tax money on a convention center Thats not the he said The question is is the time now Meek said the petition was making it difficult for future councils to con sider a convention center which could offer the city a more steady source of sales tax revenue which funds street drainage and various other infrastructure projects Meek also said petition organizers were the ones spreading misinfor mation in order to get people to sign the petition Theyve said the city will break ground on a convention center in Gruene if you dont sign he said And theyve said that money to the arts would be threatened by a convention Dunkin said she knows the city hasnt decided where the conven tion center would go But we do feel money to arts could be ham she said A convention center could require more money than expected and eat into the 14 percent now given to the arts and historic groups she said It also could require money from prop erty tax she said Meek said neither scenario would happen My real concern is the cloak of secrecy these people are operating he said Who are they and what is their motive Dunkin said more than 35 resi dents were involved in circulating the petition but didnt want to release their names without permission But were not being she said Were out in public Were meeting in All week Dunkin and others col lected names at Landa Park and the New Braunfels Public Library park ing lot Rahe said I dont know why the chamber is so angry This is not a fight of the citizens against the 1A message to council that people are concerned about she said Petition organizers have been col lecting signatures for both petitions all week Fliers being distributed include information about Walnut on one side and bed tax revenue on the other Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Inc president Michael Meek who supports the convention center proposal said he believes Dunkin and others are con fusing the two issues Dunkin disagreed Theyre not giving people credit for being intel Petition organizer Wayne Rahe said they werent bringing up the Walnut issue unless asked People are asking about Wal he said Its not being offered Dunkin said she believed the expansion project should be separate on the ballot because it was unlike the other street and drainage pro jects It involves peoples she said With the current plan the city would buy up 33 properties on the south side of Walnut for the expan sion allowing room for four lanes and one continuous turn lane If council opted against buying the property it could take the 10 feet of city land on each side city manager Mike Shands said But with this option the road could only be four lanes with no continuous turn lane Utilities would be tucked under ground possibly beneath sidewalks Shands said And some property would be affected anyway he said Driveways would have to be short ened on some property for instance There would be no room for Shands said But its a cheaper million instead of more than million But eliminating the project alto gether would be an even cheaper option District 6 councilwoman Juliet Watson said Watson has suggested an alterna tive route where motorists driving toward Interstate 35 could turn right on San Antonio Street which turns and runs into Business 35 Others have suggested marking Walnut Avenue and a parallel street such as Hickory Avenue or Sycamore as oneway running opposite directions Cant we just try an alternative Watson asked That wont cost any LUXURY MATTRESS SETS Have ministorage unit full of brand new furniture and mattress sets Still sealed In plastic from the factory Name brand sets Including frame Worth Twin Full Queen King Luxury Pillow Top Super Thick Sets Full Queen King New California King InnerSpring Mattress for that Stupid Water Bed White Canopy Bed for a pretty girl Loverly French ProventialWhlte Bdrm set for a young lady 6piece Oak Bdrm Set Super Thick Poster Bdrm set 7pieces worth will take New Fancy All Wood Bunk Beds Black Iron Canopy Bed Nightstand Vanity San Call Hector 21O54391OO or Toll Free 18003984402 Historic Gruene Eat SHop Sleep Float Old Gruene Market Days February 19 20 10 6 0m tOO vendors featuring unique craff if cms in a turnoffhe century shopping and entertainment district IN NEW BRAUNFELS take exit 191 west from IH3S miles to Z bght then teft 1 mile DOHERTY FAMILY PRACTICE IM MINTS We promise to see you within one working day usually on the same day you Dr Many insurance plans accepted 1533 E COMMON STREET NEW BRAUNFELS TEXAS 78130 6255799 OR METRO 6O93941 Be a BIG FISH in a small bank At FIRST STATE BANK Your account will be important always Your face will be recognized Your phone call has clout Gary Lawson Branch Manager Call Gary and ask about his CD SPECIAL FIRST STATE BANK 401 Main Plaza 8306080233 MEMBER FDIC 26REM FREE P 500 ANYTIME 500 WEEKEND FREE DISH FREE INSTALLATION Bring In Your Old Cable Bill Get A Dual Satellite System FREE 100 FREE Professional Installation Model 3822 Some restrictions apply See store for details COURTYARD SHOPPING CENTER Next to Bealls have valid credit card cable bill and subscribe to a program plan of or higher for one year Wireless I
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